Anmore and Port Moody councils plan to work together to overhaul their recreation fee system, and they're seeking volunteers to help find solutions.

A recreation task force will examine joint recreation services and their potential costs, as well as revenue-sharing possibilities between the two municipalities.

Outgoing Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini said the issue dates back to 2007 or 2008. Through a referendum, the city received resident approval to borrow money to rebuild the recreation centre. Port Moody residents pay an additional levy in addition to their property tax, as well as paying user fees at the rec centre.

"The residents of Port Moody felt that the villages did not have a similar recreation facility that could reciprocate the service possibility, so they felt uncomfortable," Trasolini said.

"They felt as if they were subsidizing recreation facilities for neighbouring villages - And taxpayers, especially these days, they want to make sure that the city is looking after their tax money, their fees, their special levies with due diligence. I don't blame them."

The city approached the villages of Anmore and Belcarra, Trasolini said, to either pay a capital investment in the rec centre or to pay higher user fees to bridge the gap.

They opted for the higher fees, which are now more than double what Port Moody residents pay. Adult drop-in fees for Anmore residents cost about $12.50, compared to $6 for Port Moody residents. Similarly, an annual membership costs $944 for Anmore folks, but $436 for those from Port Moody.

However, Trasolini said renewed discussions have been underway since Anmore Mayor Heather Anderson was elected in a 2010 byelection.

Anderson said Anmore residents have expressed concern about the higher fees at the recreation facilities.

"We've had a number of residents asking us to look into that, and Port Moody council was responsive to that. The discussion was why don't we put together a citizens group from Anmore and Port Moody, as well as representatives from council, to look at options other than the surcharge," Anderson said.

"It's about 110 per cent more that Anmore and Belcarra residents pay. Maybe there are some other options that would be more acceptable to both sides. It's starting from square one. By bringing in some residents, we can maybe get a fresh look at if there are any other options."

Anderson and Trasolini both noted that Belcarra has not expressed interest in joining the discussions.

Anmore residents interested in volunteering for the task force can submit their name and contact information to the Village Hall at 2697 Sunnyside Road, e-mail village.hall@anmore.com or call 604-469-9877. The application deadline is Friday, Dec. 9.

Port Moody residents can find out more by calling City Hall at 604-469-4505.

jmcfee@thenownews.com